Specialised stroke units provide better outcomes

Patients with stroke do better in specialised stroke units as opposed to general hospital wards, according to research published in the latest edition of the Medical Journal of Australia.

One of the largest hospital-based audits of stroke care in Australia's teaching hospitals, the research shows that care of stroke patients varies considerably between hospitals and between different types of specialty unit. Some recommended investigations and treatments are underused.

Co-authors of the research, Dr Brendan Duffy and Professor Paddy Phillips from Flinders University; Dr Stephen Davis from the Melbourne Neuroscience Centre; Dr Geoffrey Donnan from the National Stroke Research Institute; and Miriam Vedadhaghi from the Servier Laboratory; say treatment in specialised stroke units is associated with reduced risk of death, dependency and need for long-term institutionalisation. However, they found that less than a quarter of stroke patients were treated by specialised stroke units or teams.

"Dedicated stroke units differ from general medical wards in that they are responsible for the diagnosis, treatment, prevention of complications and rehabilitation of stroke patients," said Professor Phillips, co-author of the research.

"Interdisciplinary teams of physicians, therapists and nurses coordinate medical management, rehabilitation, and stroke education, all aimed at getting the patient to reach particular goals before being discharged from hospital," he said.

"Improving the outcome of first stroke and reducing the incidence of second stroke would have clear benefits for the health of the nation," Professor Phillips said.

 The Medical Journal of Australia is a publication of the Australian Medical Association.

 CONTACT: Professor Paddy Phillips, 08 8204 4039 (w) 08 8339 7263 (H)

Judith Tokley, AMA, 0408 824 306